Enterprise Energy Fund Grants

Check with the program administrator regarding the possibility of future program funding. The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) initiated the Enterprise Energy Fund in 2010. This revolving loan program, supported by State Energy Program (SEP) funds and the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is designed to help businesses and non-profits in the state make energy improvements to their buildings. Many improvements are eligible for funding, including energy audits, whole-building improvements, equipment and appliance upgrades, lighting upgrades, heating and cooling upgrades, solar-thermal systems, and renewable energy installations, among others. The CDFA and Community Loan Fund will work with organizations to try to make the cost of financing less than the energy savings.  Funding, when available, is awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Project applications are evaluated on several criteria, including the financial stability of the business or non-profit, the age of the building for which the project is proposed, and the current energy efficiency of the building (based on an energy audit). In addition, the Enterprise Energy Fund seeks to include a wide range of business types (i.e., small and large) and promote geographic diversity While primarily a revolving loan program, the Enterprise Energy Fund provides a limited amount of funding for grants. Grants are typically used to lower costs for non-profits that provide "essential services," and to support eligible commercial entities that invest in renewable energy systems to lower the payback period.